Image Credit: China Daily
The Philippines is reportedly preparing to deploy a second Coast Guard vessel to the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao, also known as Xianbin Reef, in the South China Sea. According to a source cited by Global Times on Wednesday, this move is seen as an effort to establish a semi-permanent floating platform, which Chinese experts believe infringes on China’s territorial sovereignty.
The Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV-9701) has been stationed at Xianbin Jiao since mid-April, marking over four months of presence in the area. Now, a second vessel is expected to join the MRRV-9701, signaling Manila’s intention to reinforce its foothold on the reef.
Yang Xiao, deputy director at the Institute of Maritime Strategy Studies under the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, suggested that the Philippines is aiming to solidify its occupation of Xianbin Jiao by upgrading the floating platform to a more permanent structure, which could serve as a forward deployment base.
Yang reiterated that China maintains sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, which include Xianbin Jiao, and will not tolerate any further expansion by the Philippines. He emphasized that such actions could heighten tensions in the region, given the sensitivity of the territorial dispute.
Global Times also indicated that Manila’s actions might violate the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). The DOC calls for restraint from all parties involved to avoid actions that could escalate disputes or threaten regional peace and stability.